Anna Hartz
Trump Slaps New 10% Tariff on Canada After Controversial Reagan Ad
Trade tensions between the United States and Canada have flared again. This time, it’s not over steel, dairy, or lumber — but over a television commercial.
The dispute began when Ontario re-aired a one-minute ad that used old audio of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. The ad criticized tariffs and played during the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, reports El Economista. The Reagan Foundation said it never approved the use or editing of those clips.
Accused Canada of Fraud
Donald Trump reacted quickly. He accused Canada of fraud and said the ad misrepresented Reagan’s position on tariffs.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote that the commercial was meant to influence the U.S. Supreme Court and to cover up Canada’s long-term trade practices that “hurt the United States.”
An Additional 10 Percent
Trump announced that the U.S. will impose an additional 10 percent tariff on Canadian goods.
He called the ad “a serious distortion of the facts” and “a hostile act.” The decision effectively ends the latest round of trade talks between the two countries.
Working on a Stable Relationship
In response, Canadian Prime Minister Dominic LeBlanc said his government would continue to work toward a stable trade relationship.
He described discussions with Washington as constructive and said Canada remains focused on outcomes that benefit families and workers on both sides of the border.
LeBlanc emphasized that progress comes through direct engagement and not public disputes.
Easing the Tension
Ontario Premier Doug Ford later said the ad campaign would stop airing on Monday to ease tensions. But the decision came too late for Trump, who had already ordered the new tariffs before leaving for Asia to attend the ASEAN summit.
The ad’s message, originally spoken by Reagan in 1987, criticized the use of tariffs as harmful to free trade. For Trump, who sees tariffs as essential for protecting U.S. jobs and national security, the ad crossed a line.
The new tariffs mark a sharp turn in U.S.–Canada relations, which had shown signs of improvement just weeks ago. For now, the baseball rivalry between the two nations seems to have spilled into politics.
This article is made and published by Anna Hartz, which may have used AI in the preparation
